Uniquely retro and ultimately suitable for today’s commuting and mall-meandering needs, the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Base returns after a year’s hiatus bigger and, yes, bolder than ever. This 2-door, 4-passenger, front-wheel-drive (FWD) subcompact is variously described as a coupe or a hatchback, but in any event offers upsized dimensions to accommodate up to 29.9 cubic feet of cargo with the split-folding rear seatbacks down.

Standard features in this entry-level Bug now include 17-inch alloy wheels and heated power-adjustable mirrors outside with cloth sport front seats, full power accessories and telescoping tilt-wheel steering inside. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and manual air conditioning give an extra nod to class and comfort, while the single-CD player, 8 speakers and auxiliary MP3 input can be tuned to the ‘60s or to the overwrought electro-pound of today.

Options, meantime, are limited to some upgrades to interior and exterior trim, as well as splash guards, carpeted floor mats and a first-aid kit.

Powering this refined relic of responsibility is a variable-valve-timed (VVT), 170-hp, 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder (I5) engine that mates with the standard 5-speed manual transmission for 177 lb-ft of torque. Look for mileage numbers, meantime, in the vicinity of 22 mpg city/31 highway.

Dimensions

Cargo and Towing

Got to comply with California emissions standards, but want to show you’re fiscally responsible and a child of the '60s? Check out Volkswagen’s 2012 Beetle Base PZEV (Partial Zero-Emiss...
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Got to comply with California emissions standards, but want to show you’re fiscally responsible and a child of the '60s? Check out Volkswagen’s 2012 Beetle Base PZEV (Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle) 4-seat subcompact coupe. This re- re-introduced icon of the Age of Aquarius, among other ages, has been reworked as a longer and taller, lower and bolder version of Germany’s successful (and downsized) invasion of the U.S. auto market. It will carry some 29.9 cubic feet of cargo with the split-folding rear seats down and boasts the overwrought, state-mandated emissions equipment to lower various harmful gases infused into our woebegone atmosphere.

The venerated 2012 Beetle Base PZEV also sports 17-inch alloy wheels and heated power-adjustable mirrors outside with cloth upholstery, sport front seats, full power accessories, a leather-wrapped telescoping and tilting steering wheel, and air conditioning adorning the interior. Meantime, entertainment is presented via a single-CD player with 8 speakers and an auxiliary MP3 input.

Optional equipment is limited to things like splash guards, carpeted floor mats, some interior and exterior trim upgrades, and a first aid kit.

An eco-friendlier, variable-valve-timed (VVT) 2.5-liter normally aspirated inline 5-cylinder (I5) powerplant gives this newest, front-wheel-drive-only (FWD) bug its go and mates with the standard 5-speed manual transmission to put out 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. Mileage is again pegged at the same 22 mpg city/31 highway as its less emissions-conscious sibling.

Dimensions

Cargo and Towing

Stepping up a notch in the reintroduced 2012 Volkswagen Beetle lineup, retro-freaks can take a look at the 2.5L trim. This midlevel subcompact 2-door (coupe) seats 4 and offers a few ex...
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Stepping up a notch in the reintroduced 2012 Volkswagen Beetle lineup, retro-freaks can take a look at the 2.5L trim. This midlevel subcompact 2-door (coupe) seats 4 and offers a few extra doodads over its Base siblings, but still totes the same 29.9 cubic feet of cargo area with the rear seats folded.

Standard exterior features include 17-inch alloy wheels and heated power-adjustable mirrors, while the cabin flaunts heated, height-adjustable sport front seats, leatherette upholstery and full power accessories. Cruise control and a leather-wrapped telescoping and tilting steering wheel also come standard on this up-ticked Beetle trim, as do floor mats and air conditioning. Bluetooth hands-free calling is delivered standard, along with a single-CD player, 8 speakers and auxiliary MP3/iPod integration.

The 2012 Beetle 2.5L can additionally be equipped with the Sunroof Package, which sports a power sunroof, keyless ignition, satellite radio and a 6-CD changer with touchscreen interface, or the Sound and Navigation Package, which boasts a navigation suite with touchscreen display, as well as premium 400-watt, 9-speaker Fender audio entertainment and 18-inch upgraded wheels. The Sunroof, Sound and Navigation Package, obviously, includes each of the above amenities in one all-inclusive bundle.

Powering this midlevel, front-wheel-drive-only (FWD) Beetle is a variable-valve-timed (VVT) 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder engine that combines with either the standard 5-speed manual transmission or an available 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission for 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. Mileage, meanwhile, is estimated at 22 mpg city/31 highway with the standard stick-shift and 22/29 with the available automatic.

Inside, look for leatherette upholstery, heated, height-adjustable sport front seats, full power accessories, floor mats, and a telescoping and tilting leather-wrapped steering wheel. Cruise control also endows this midlevel Beetle trim, as do floor mats, Bluetooth hands-free calling and air conditioning. Entertainment, meantime, is offered via a single-CD player boasting 8 speakers and an auxiliary MP3/iPod interface.

Among the more popular options available to the 2012 Beetle 2.5L PZEV is the Sunroof Package, with a power sunroof, upgraded 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless ignition, 6-CD changer and a touchscreen audio interface. The Sound and Navigation Package, meanwhile, offers a touchscreen-interfaced navigation suite and 400-watt, 9-speaker Fender premium audio equipment, while the Sunroof, Sound and Navigation Package flaunts all of the above in one nicely done bundle.

The standard 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder (I5) engine that gives this front-wheel-drive-only (FWD) trim its moniker flaunts some eco-friendly tweaks to give it the clean-leaning PZEV designation, along with the choice of a sporty 5-speed manual transmission or a less pulse-pounding 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Furthermore, with either transmission, standard variable valve timing (VVT) means mileage estimates of 22 mpg city/31 highway in stick-shift-equipped versions and 22/29 in those variations carrying the automatic transmission.

This 4-seat, 2-door subcompact sports a 2.5-liter powerplant and the Sunroof Package as standard equipment, with the power sunroof accompanied by further appearance features like 17-inch alloy wheels and heated power-adjustable mirrors.

Inside, this feature-heavy retro-coupe boasts 29.9 cubic feet of cargo area with the rear seatbacks folded, not to mention leatherette upholstery, heated, height-adjustable sport front seats, full power accessories, floor mats and a telescoping and tilting, multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel. Keyless ignition is part of the Sunroof Package and is complemented by standard cruise control, air conditioning, Bluetooth hands-free calling and floor mats in front and rear.

Look for a 6-CD changer and 8 speakers in the 2012 Beetle 2.5L PZEV with Sunroof, along with satellite radio and an auxiliary MP3 and iPod interface.

Should more bling be needed, the Sound and Navigation Package, with touchscreen-integrated navigation and a 400-watt, 9-speaker Fender premium audio system that boasts a memory-card slot can be tacked on, as can such mundane stuff as splash guards, carpeted floor mats and various interior and exterior trim upgrades.

Tweaked to conform to more stringent emissions standards is a Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle (PZEV)-rated 2.5-liter 5-cylinder (I5) powerplant that combines with either a standard 5-speed manual transmission or an available 6-speed shiftable automatic to put out 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. With variable valve timing (VVT), mileage is estimated at 22 mpg city/31 highway with the stick-shift edition and 22/29 with the automatic transmission.

Dimensions

Cargo and Towing

For 2012, Volkswagen has reprised its iconic Beetle with some added twists. The midlevel Beetle 2.5L with Sunroof is only one of a number of configurations offered for this 2-door, 4-pa...
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For 2012, Volkswagen has reprised its iconic Beetle with some added twists. The midlevel Beetle 2.5L with Sunroof is only one of a number of configurations offered for this 2-door, 4-passenger subcompact and boasts, as its moniker implies, a 2.5-liter powerplant and gets delivered complete with a power sunroof.

Along with the sunroof comes a leather-wrapped telescoping and tilting multifunction steering wheel and keyless ignition, along with 17-inch alloy wheels, satellite radio and a 6-CD changer. Further standard amenities include full power accessories, including heated power-adjustable outside mirrors, as well as leatherette upholstery, heated height-adjustable sport front seats, cruise control, front and rear floor mats, cruise control and air conditioning.

Meantime, the touchscreen-integrated audio system that’s part of the 2.5L with Sunroof package also flaunts a 6-CD changer, satellite radio, a memory card slot, and an auxiliary MP3 and iPod interface, while Bluetooth hands-free calling is additionally delivered with this feature-heavy Beetle.

Options-wise, the Sunroof, Sound and Nav package can be tacked on to this little coupe and includes, besides the Sunroof Package, a premium 400-watt Fender sound system with 9 speakers and a memory-card slot, and a navigation suite that interfaces with the dashboard mounted touchscreen. Additionally, the Beetle 2.5L with Sunroof can be delivered with available splash guards, upgraded interior and exterior badges and graphics, and/or with carpeted floor mats.

Giving this midlevel Beetle its name is a 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder powerplant that pushes out 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque when under the management of the standard 5-speed manual transmission. A 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission is available and puts out the same power numbers, while variable-valve-timed (VVT) mileage is estimated at 22 mpg city/31 highway in stick-shift versions, and 22/29 in automatic-toting variants.

Dimensions

Cargo and Towing

Throw a turbocharged inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine into Volkswagen’s 2012 Beetle, and behold the Beetle Turbo. This trim's 2.0-liter blown four-banger combines with either a standard 6-...
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Throw a turbocharged inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine into Volkswagen’s 2012 Beetle, and behold the Beetle Turbo. This trim's 2.0-liter blown four-banger combines with either a standard 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed auto-manual (DSG) transmission for 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque, with mileage figures running a respectable 21 mpg city/30 highway in those Turbos with the stick-shift and 22/30 in those carrying the shiftable automatic.

Entertainment is presented via a single-CD player with 8 speakers and an auxiliary iPod interface, while Bluetooth hands-free calling keeps everybody in touch.

Popular options for this turbocharged Beetle include the Sunroof Package, which includes a power sunroof, keyless ignition, satellite radio, a 6-CD changer and multifunction steering wheel, and the Sound and Navigation Package, which has navigation, 19-inch upgraded alloy wheels and a 400-watt, 9-speaker Fender premium audio system boasting dashboard-mounted touchscreen integration and a memory-card slot. Further, the Sunroof, Sound and Navigation Package combines all of the above into a single neat bundle. Another popular option is a sport-tuned suspension that’ll take some of the blah out of the commute.

Tweaked to conform to state laws that encompass California emissions standards, a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) powerplant gives this venerable-yet-updated Bug its go. Mated with either the standard 6-speed standard manual transmission or the available 6-speed auto-manual (DSG) transmission, this blown four-banger puts out 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque, with mileage estimated at 21 mpg city/30 highway in stick-shift versions and 22/30 in automatic-toting editions.

Inside, this retro-Bug flaunts premium cloth upholstery and heated, height-adjustable sport front seats as well as a telescoping and tilting leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-wrapped shift knob, simulated carbon-fiber dashboard trim and full power accessories. Cruise control also comes standard aboard this high-end trim, as do air conditioning, floor mats and Bluetooth hands-free calling. Meantime, entertainment is offered by a single-CD player with 8 speakers and auxiliary iPod integration.

Available to the latest iteration of law-abiding turbocharged Beetledom is a Sunroof Package boasting a power sunroof, keyless ignition, a multifunction steering wheel, 6-CD changer, satellite radio and upgraded 19-inch wheels. A Sound and Navigation Package, meanwhile, throws in a navigation suite and a touchscreen-interfaced, 9-speaker Fender premium audio system that pounds out 400 watts. All of the above can, needless to say, also be bundled together into the Sunroof, Sound and Navigation Package, while leather upholstery, upgraded and customizable graphics and badges, carpeted floor mats, splash guards and a sport-tuned suspension are additionally available as standalone options.

Dimensions

Cargo and Towing

Yep, the illustrious and iconic Volkswagen Beetle is back, and among its incarnations for 2012 is the Beetle 2.5L PZEV with Sunroof, Sound and Nav. Packing a California-emissions-friend...
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Yep, the illustrious and iconic Volkswagen Beetle is back, and among its incarnations for 2012 is the Beetle 2.5L PZEV with Sunroof, Sound and Nav. Packing a California-emissions-friendly 2.5-liter 5-cylinder (I5) powerplant, this 2-door, 4-seat coupe is upgraded from its lesser siblings with the Sunroof, Sound and Nav Package that flaunts a power sunroof, Fender 9-speaker premium audio with touchscreen display and a navigation system that’s also integrated with the dashboard-mounted color display.

This midlevel Bug also boasts the same 29.9 cubic feet of cargo area (with the rear seats folded) as its brethren, as well as upgraded 18-inch alloy wheels and heated power-adjustable outside mirrors. Inside, look for leatherette upholstery, heated and height-adjustable sport front seats, full power accessories, floor mats, keyless ignition, cruise control and a tilting and telescoping, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel.

Of course, air conditioning is standard, as is Bluetooth hands-free communications, while the touchscreen-interfaced, 400-watt Fender sound system is complemented by a 6-CD changer, 9 speakers, satellite radio, a memory-card slot and auxiliary MP3 and iPod integration. Finally, the aforementioned flash-memory-based navigation system also comes standard.

Further available bling aboard this venerable coupe includes carpeted floor mats, splash guards and various exterior and interior trim upgrades.

Giving the 2012 VW Beetle 2.5L PZEV with Sunroof, Sound and Nav its go is an emissions-lowering PZEV (Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle) 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder (I5) powerplant that can be managed by either the standard 5-speed manual transmission or an available 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission. With either gearbox, this little coupe will put out 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, while variable valve timing (VVT) helps maintain mileage estimates of 22 mpg city/31 highway in the stick-shift-equipped version and 22/29 in the automatic.

Dimensions

Cargo and Towing

As may be apparent from its moniker, Volkswagen’s re-introduced-for-2012 Beetle 2.5L PZEV with Sound and Nav sports a California-emissions-approved PZEV (Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle)...
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As may be apparent from its moniker, Volkswagen’s re-introduced-for-2012 Beetle 2.5L PZEV with Sound and Nav sports a California-emissions-approved PZEV (Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle) 2.5-liter powerplant, as well as the Sound and Navigation package as standard equipment aboard its 4-passenger, 2-door subcompact frame. From such exotic ingredients comes its wordy moniker.

Meantime, all of the former bling is added to such standard appearance goodies as 18-inch upgraded alloy wheels and heated power-adjustable mirrors, with the interior capable of handling 29.9 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seatbacks folded. Also on the inside are such added doodads as leatherette upholstery, heated and height-adjustable sport front seats, full power accessories, floor mats, keyless ignition and a multifunction tilting and telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Cruise control also comes standard, as do floor mats in front and rear, air conditioning, Bluetooth hands-free calling and a premium Fender audio system with single-CD changer, 9 speakers, satellite radio, a memory card slot and iPod/MP3 integration, while the included navigation package boasts an audio-integrated touchscreen-display interfaced with standard flash-memory-based navigation.

Further add-ons to this loaded-up Beetle include splash guards, carpeted floor mats and upgrades to interior and exterior trim pieces. A power sunroof can also be added and comes with upgraded 18-inch wheels, keyless ignition, a multifunction steering wheel and a 6-CD changer.

As its name implies, the front-wheel-drive (FWD) 2012 Beetle 2.5L PZEV with Sound and Nav packs a 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder (I5) powerplant that mates with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed shiftable automatic for 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. Meantime, mileage figures for the variable-valve-timed (VVT) five-banger are estimated at 22 mpg city/31 highway when carrying the stick-shift transmission and 22/29 for the automatic-toting version.

This potent bug sports a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder (I4) powerplant that mates with either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or the available 6-speed auto-manual (DSG) transmission for 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. Mileage estimates, meanwhile, are pegged at 21 mpg city/30 highway in the stick-shift version, and 22/30 in the automatic-equipped variant.

Further standard comfort and convenience bling includes full power accessories, cruise control, air conditioning, simulated carbon fiber dashboard trim, Bluetooth hands-free calling and a single-CD player boasting 8 speakers and auxiliary iPod integration.

The Sunroof Package is one option available to the Beetle Black Turbo and comes with a power sunroof, keyless ignition, a multifunction steering wheel (mounting paddle shifters in automatic-transmission editions), a 6-CD changer and touchscreen-interfaced audio components.

The optional Sunroof, Sound and Navigation Package, meanwhile, offers all the goodies in the Sunroof Package as well as a navigation system integrated into the dashboard-mounted display, upgraded 19-inch wheels and 400 watts of Fender premium audio with 9 speakers and a memory-card slot.

Finally, leather upholstery is available to the 2012 Beetle Black Turbo, as are splash guards, carpeted floor mats (in titanium black, of course), a sport-tuned suspension and various unique badges and graphics.

Dimensions

Cargo and Towing

For those who must meet stringent California emissions laws but still want to look and drive with a bit of retro-leaning panache, Volkswagen has, for 2012, returned its venerable Beetle...
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For those who must meet stringent California emissions laws but still want to look and drive with a bit of retro-leaning panache, Volkswagen has, for 2012, returned its venerable Beetle in a longer, wider and lower Black Turbo PZEV (Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle) version.

Boasting Deep Black Pearl Metallic paint outside and Titanium Black premium cloth upholstery inside, this regenerated 4-seat, 2-door subcompact also carries a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) powerplant that’s been tweaked to meet requirements in those states with more eco-conscious emissions standards. Look for 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque from this black beauty when under the management of either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or the available DSG 6-speed auto-manual transmission. Meantime, mileage with the stick-shift-equipped edition is estimated at 21 mpg city/30 highway, while the automatic-toting variant is estimated at 22/30.

Besides the bad-boy paint job, this Beetle also sports 18-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler and heated power-adjustable mirrors on its re-worked exterior, with the no-nonsense-black interior flaunting heated height-adjustable sport front seats, full power accessories, a leather-wrapped shift knob and simulated carbon fiber dashboard trim. Cruise control also comes standard, as do a telescoping and tilting leather-wrapped steering wheel, front and rear floor mats, air conditioning and Bluetooth hands-free calling.

The standard entertainment system, meantime, is a single-CD player with 8 speakers and auxiliary iPod integration, with a touchscreen display, 6-CD changer and satellite radio available in the optional Sunroof Package.

Said Sunroof Package also includes a multifunction steering wheel and keyless ignition, with the available Sunroof, Sound and Navigation Package throwing in a navigation suite, upgraded 19-inch wheels and a 9-speaker, 400-watt Fender premium audio setup that sports a memory-card slot.

Leather upholstery, splash guards, carpeted floor mats and a cornucopia of customizable graphics and badges, as well as a sport-tuned suspension, are also optional for this ebony-toned Beetle.

Cruise control, of course, comes standard in this well-wrought Bug, too, as do air conditioning, floor mats and Bluetooth hands-free communications, while entertainment consists of a single-CD player with 8 speakers and an auxiliary MP3/iPod input.

Among the more exotic option bundles offered with the 2012 Beetle White Turbo is the Sunroof Package, offering a power sunroof, keyless ignition, 6-CD changer, satellite radio, upgraded 19-inch alloy wheels and a multifunction steering wheel. Throw in the Sound and Navigation Package and get a Fender premium sound system that boasts 400 watts, 9 speakers and a touchscreen dashboard display, as well as a flash-card-based navigation system that integrates with the dash-mounted touchscreen.

Dimensions

Cargo and Towing

After a year off, Volkswagen’s iconic Beetle returns longer, wider, lower and bolder than ever. In one of its classier iterations, this 4-seat, 2-door subcompact coupe is available as t...
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After a year off, Volkswagen’s iconic Beetle returns longer, wider, lower and bolder than ever. In one of its classier iterations, this 4-seat, 2-door subcompact coupe is available as the 2012 Beetle White Turbo PZEV (Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle).

Boasting turbocharged power and 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seatbacks folded, this venerable VW also packs a rear spoiler, 18-inch alloy wheels and heated power-adjustable mirrors around its Black-Turbo-counterpointed white profile.

Cruise control is standard, as are air conditioning, floor mats front and rear, and Bluetooth hands-free communications, while entertainment is offered via a single-CD player with 8 speakers and an auxiliary MP3/iPod interface.

Optional equipment, meantime, includes the Sunroof, Sound and Nav Package, boasting a power sunroof, keyless ignition, a multifunction steering wheel, a 400-watt Fender premium sound system with 6-CD changer, 9 speakers, satellite radio and a memory-card slot and touchscreen display, and a flash-memory-based navigation system that adds its talents to the dashboard-mounted screen. All of the above, meantime, can be separated into just the Sunroof Package, just the Sound Package and just the Sound and Nav Package, with corresponding adjustments to offered features, including 19-inch upgraded wheels.

Giving this latest Beetle incarnation its go is a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) powerplant that meshes with either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or the available 6-speed auto-manual (DSG) gearbox for 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. Meantime, mileage estimates for this blown four-banger are 21 mpg city/30 highway in stick-shift-toting editions and 22/30 in auto-manual-bearing variants.

Dimensions

Cargo and Towing

Take the reworked and re-introduced 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, toss in a California-emissions-ready turbocharged inline 4-cylinder (I4) powerplant, a 9-speaker premium Fender sound system ...
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Take the reworked and re-introduced 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, toss in a California-emissions-ready turbocharged inline 4-cylinder (I4) powerplant, a 9-speaker premium Fender sound system and a power sunroof, and behold the Beetle 2.0T Turbo PZEV with Sunroof and Sound.

Classified as a partial zero-emissions vehicle—thus the PZEV designation—this 2-door, 4-place subcompact Beetle boasts an eco-friendly 2.0-liter I4 turbo managed by either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or an available 6-speed auto-manual (DSG) transmission. In each case, this blown four-banger puts out 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque, with mileage estimates running 21 mpg city/30 highway for stick-shift-toting versions and 22/30 for automatic-equipped variants.

Able to tote the 29.9 cubic feet of cargo (with the rear seats folded) common to its lesser siblings, this amped-up Beetle also boasts 19-inch alloy wheels, a power sunroof, a rear spoiler and heated power-adjustable mirrors draping a post-hiatus profile that’s also lower, longer and wider than previous iterations. Inside, look for premium cloth upholstery, heated height-adjustable sport front seats, full power accessories and floor mats, as well as a tilting and telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel that’s complemented by a leather-wrapped shift knob and simulated carbon fiber accents.

Bluetooth hands-free calling is additionally standard aboard the Beetle Turbo PZEV with Sunroof and Sound, as is a premium 400-watt, 9-speaker Fender audio system that flaunts a 6-CD changer, touchscreen display, satellite radio, a memory-card slot and auxiliary iPod/MP3 integration.

Options-wise, a navigation system that is interfaced with the touchscreen display is the more exotic add-on available to this turbocharged Bug. Splash guards, meanwhile, as well as carpeted floor mats, a sport-tuned suspension, leather upholstery and various interior and exterior trim upgrades are also optional.

Dimensions

Cargo and Towing

Those lamenting the disappearance of Volkswagen’s Beetle last year may rejoice that this subcompact coupe is back for 2012. In its up-powered, up-featured form, this 4-passenger, 2-door...
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Those lamenting the disappearance of Volkswagen’s Beetle last year may rejoice that this subcompact coupe is back for 2012. In its up-powered, up-featured form, this 4-passenger, 2-door subcompact is available as the Beetle 2.0T Turbo with Sunroof and Sound, and boasts, as its moniker implies, a standard turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, power sunroof and premium Fender audio components. Of course, it also sports the same 29.9 cubic feet of cargo room (with the rear seats folded) as its lesser, but no less reworked, siblings.

Besides the power glass sunroof, this longer and wider, lower and bolder Beetle carries such appealing appearance goodies as 19-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler and heated power-adjustable mirrors.

Boasting 400 watts of power, the delivered Fender premium sound system also features a 6-CD changer, 9 speakers, satellite radio and a memory-card slot, all under the auspices of a touchscreen dash display that can be further configured to handle an optional flash-memory-based navigation system.

Further options for the high-end Beetle 2.0T Turbo with Sunroof and Sound include splashguards, upgraded interior and exterior trim pieces, graphics and badges, leather upholstery, carpeted floor mats and a sport-tuned suspension.

For 2012, a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) powerplant gives this upscale Beetle its go, mating with either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or the available 6-speed auto-manual (DSG) transmission to put out 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. Meantime, mileage is estimated at 21 mpg city/30 highway with the stick-shift or 22/30 cruising with the automatic.